Niall McGrath

UFC #4 ranked lightweight Eddie Alvarez has returned to Ricardo Almeida’s gym ahead of his fight against Anthony Pettis at Fight Night 81 in Boston, Jan. 17th. He also believes he’s next in line for a title shot with a win over the former UFC lightweight champion.

The former Bellator MMA lightweight champion confirmed to Niall McGrath on this week’s Talking Brawls MMA.com Podcast that he will be no longer doing his pre-fight training camps in Florida with the Blackzillians, due to logistical issues.

“As far as the Blackzillian go. I’ll still go down to Florida and train with my Blackzilian brothers. I’m still close with everyone down there, but for me there’s really no issue with me and the Blackzillians, it’s more a geographical thing. I live in Philadelphia and I moved my whole family; My four children, my wife, I moved everything to give my best shot in Florida to being with the team and be as committed as I can. It simply wasn’t a fit for me and my family. The training is top notch, through the roof. Henry Hooft is the best in the world with what he does, all the guys down there, even the training partners are unbelievable. I simply tried my best, I put my best foot forward to commit to that and stay there as long as I could. It just didn’t work out. My kids really wanted to come home, they missed their family. Me and my wife love the four seasons and we’re big family people. We have a lot of traditions at home. I’m back home, I’m back home with my home team that Ive been with, even before I left to go to the Blackzilians, which is Ricardo Almeida’s gym. It feels good to be back with my family and friends and all the old faces.”

The Philadelphian (26-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is coming off a split decision victory over Gilbert Melendez at UFC 188 and says ‘when’ he beats Pettis he’ll be expecting a title shot.

“We all seen holes in Anthony’s game, we all seen him do the spectacular, we’ve seen him do both. It takes a certain style or person to implement a style to break him, I’m that guy. It’s about going out there and implementing doing what I do. I have every single tool I need to beat Anthony Pettis. Whether the fans want to believe it, the media want to believe it or the odds makers believe it. I couldn’t give two shits. I know what’s about to happen on Jan. 17th and after I win it will put me in line for the title and that’s exactly where all this has been heading for the last 10 or 12 years.”